Who is it for?
The Collective Leadership Initiative (CLI) is an opt-in initiative for schools that want to implement South Carolina's Collective Leadership Framework. The framework was co-constructed with teachers, school leaders, state department leaders, and researchers from the Center for Teaching Quality. Each school identifies a CLI Team to lead the process in their school. Ideally, schools interested in applying can identify teacher leaders currently serving in hybrid leadership roles. Professional development supports and technical assistance are provided throughout the school year and participating schools provide continuing data for measuring the effectiveness of the collective leadership framework. Additionally, participating teachers and administrators have the option to earn micro-credentials in Collective Leadership.
What does it look like?
Collective Leadership is a process not a program. Schools selected to participate identify members to serve on their school’s Collective Leadership Team. The Office of Educator Effectiveness and Leadership Development (OEELD) works with administrators and teacher leaders to implement a cohesive vision for teacher leadership roles. This work supports the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by helping schools develop the collaborative culture and high-quality professional learning that promote student attainment of world-class knowledge, skills, and life characteristics. Collective Leadership also supports teacher retention by creating meaningful opportunities for teachers to lead without leaving the classroom. Selected schools learn and implement South Carolina’s Collective Leadership Framework.
Key outcomes of the Collective Leadership Framework include improving student performance through:
- effective teaching and data-responsive instructional practices;
- effective collective leadership teams;
- improved perceptions and advancement opportunities within the teaching profession; and
- increased teacher and administrator recruitment and retention.
What are people saying?
- “Collective Leadership is not something added to your plate, it is the plate itself.”
- “There is no way our school could have made the progress we have during a pandemic had we not had the foundation of the process of CLI we have embraced for two years.”
- “A place worth going is one where those closest to the learning are the ones leading the work. That’s what the Collective Leadership Initiative is all about.”
- “I have learned that the catalyst for changing the landscape of education is found in our building. Teacher expertise and teacher leadership can impact the culture, students, and community in an immeasurable way.”
- “My students are gaining the most out of Collective Leadership, because we are building the collaboration across our school.”
What do you need to know?
CLI Schools begin the process by completing an application and participating in a readiness assessment. Schools participating in CLI:
- Commitment to a site visit at your school for all staff members to participate in an “Introduction to CLI” workshop;
- Release time in the day for the teacher leader(s) to serve in a collective leadership role (Note: “hybrid” roles for teacher leaders may be different across our state; the teacher should be directly instructing students part of day and released to serve other educators part of the day);
- Up to five sessions (in person, virtual, or hybrid) in 2026–27 with the OLE;
- One individual school coaching conversation per semester
- Participation in Seven Conditions for Effective Leadership Survey; and
- Commitment to shape and sustain the Collective Leadership Framework for your unique school setting for a minimum of two years (Note: the OLE will provide ongoing support beyond the 2026-27 initial year for your cohort)
If you or your principals would like to participate, please complete the application survey. Applications must be completed by March 6, 2026. If you have any questions, please contact Crystal Halma, chalma@ed.sc.gov.
